Novak’s ‘sick obsession’ to be liked

Nick Kyrgios was asked for his thoughts on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – and Nick Kyrgios answered.

In an interview with the No Challenges Remaining podcast, Kyrgios labelled Nadal ‘super salty’ and Djokovic’s celebrations ‘cringeworthy’.

The Aussie tennis player’s views headline this week’s PV Clips.

In a big week for football, former A-League player Andy Brennan pens a brave article on his sexuality, while uncapped Aussie goalkeeper Teagan Micah receives the phone call of a lifetime.

Meanwhile, NRL veteran Paul Gallen speaks out on his code’s premature exclusion of Israel Folau, with the Wallaby still on the outer in rugby union.

These are our favourite stories this week about elite sportspeople, as told by elite sportspeople, from our favourite athlete-generated platforms around the world. Just like you get on PlayersVoice everyday.

‘JUST CAN’T STAND HIM’

There were no holds barred in Nick Kyrgios’ interview, despite Djokovic’s and Nadal’s standing in the game.

Of Nadal, he described him as his ‘polar opposite,’ who ‘gets me vexed’.

‘Every time I’ve beaten him … when he wins, it’s fine. He won’t say anything bad, he’ll credit the opponent, ‘He was a great player’. But as soon as I beat him, it’s just like, ‘He has no respect for me, my fans and no respect to the game’,’ Kyrgios says.

On Djokovic, the Aussie goaded his ‘sick obsession with wanting to be liked’ in the same regard as Roger Federer – although he would never consider the two in the same light, given the Serb’s failure to beat him on the court.

‘We’re talking about a guy who pulled out of the Australian Open one year because it was too hot. No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me,’ he said.

‘Simply because I’ve played him twice and like, I’m sorry, but if you can’t beat me, you’re not the greatest of all time. Because if you like look at my day-to-day routine and how much I train and how much I put in, it’s zero compared to him.’

‘ISRAEL IS NOT A BAD PERSON’

Writing for Wide World Of Sports, Gallen argues that the NRL’s premature decision on Folau goes against the ethos of sport in general.

‘I don’t support the views that have gotten Israel into trouble; I want to make that very clear. But I also don’t agree with the ARL Commission coming out already and saying that Israel’s not welcome back in rugby league,’ Gallen writes.

‘For me, sport is about forgiveness and redemption. People make mistakes in life all the time. It’s a given; we just try to move on and get better.

‘Israel is not a bad person and I don’t think there’s genuine malice in him. For the NRL to completely shut the door on him and say that there’s no place for him in our game … I think that’s at odds with rugby league’s message of inclusiveness. It directly excludes Israel for his religious beliefs.’

Gallen writes that rugby league has many great redemption stories and Folau should not be denied that opportunity.

COMM BOX HYSTERIA

Days earlier, Anfield was awash with delirium as Liverpool defeated Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Champions League final.

As many clubs do, the in-house ‘LFCTV’ commentary crew of Steve Hunter and club legend John Aldridge was on hand to provide their thoughts on the game. Their reactions to each of the four goals are priceless.

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